ABB and SwitcH2 have formalised an agreement focusing on the engineering and supply of automation and electrification solutions for SwitcH2's innovative floating production, storage, and offloading (FPSO) unit. This facility will specialise in producing green ammonia derived from green hydrogen, addressing the increasing demand for sustainable marine fuels.
The FPSO unit is set to operate off the Portuguese coast, utilising accredited renewable energy procured through Power Purchase Agreements linked to the national grid. At its core, a 300 MW electrolyzer will be capable of producing as much as 243,000 tonnes of green ammonia annually.
Integration of ABB Ability™ System 800xA® ICSS
In line with the agreement, ABB will provide a prefabricated eHouse, electrical distribution frameworks, and its ABB Ability™ System 800xA® Integrated Control and Safety System (ICSS), incorporating comprehensive cyber security features. Designed for modular implementation, these systems aim to ensure the safe and efficient functioning of the offshore operations. Furthermore, ABB's solutions are designed to seamlessly integrate with third-party technologies, including electrolyzers and ammonia synthesis systems.
Advancing Offshore Production for Marine Fuels
Saskia Kunst, CEO of SwitcH2, highlighted the importance of this strategic collaboration as a significant advance in offshore production capabilities for innovative marine fuels. "By integrating ABB's advanced electrification and automation systems, we are demonstrating how technology-driven partnerships can accelerate innovation, shaping the future of energy at sea," Kunst stated.
Utilising Electrolysis for Green Hydrogen
The FPSO will leverage treated seawater for generating green hydrogen through electrolysis. This hydrogen will then react with atmospheric nitrogen to produce green ammonia, a promising solution for sectors like shipping that are challenging to decarbonise. Post-synthesis, the ammonia will be condensed, stored on the unit, and later transferred to carriers via a floating hose system for distribution to ports. There, it can serve as marine fuel or be converted back into hydrogen for industrial purposes.
Decarbonising the Marine Transport Sector
Green ammonia emerges as a viable strategy for reducing the shipping industry's carbon footprint, a sector currently responsible for approximately two percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Per Erik Holsten, President of ABB's Energy Industries division, expressed ABB's commitment to enhancing the marine sector's operational efficiency and environmental sustainability. "Green ammonia offers a technically viable method for decarbonising marine transport, and this FPSO concept showcases how renewable energy can be leveraged to unlock low-carbon energy value chains," Holsten remarked.
The project's initial engineering and design phase is anticipated to continue until the summer of 2026, with a Final Investment Decision expected by the third quarter of that year. Construction and detailed engineering are scheduled for 2027.
ABB has signed a term sheet agreement with SwitcH2 to engineer and supply automation and electrification solutions for SwitcH2’s floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) unit dedicated to producing green ammonia from green hydrogen, to support future demand for low-carbon marine fuels.
The FPSO facility will be stationed off the coast of Portugal and powered by certified renewable electricity from the national grid under a Power Purchase Agreements. It will feature a 300 MW electrolyser with the potential to produce up to 243,000 tonnes of green ammonia annually.
ABB Ability™ System 800xA® ICSS
ABB’s solutions will fully integrate with third-party equipment, including electrolysers
As part of the term sheet agreement, ABB intends to deliver a prefabricated eHouse, electrical distribution systems and ABB Ability™ System 800xA® Integrated Control and Safety System (ICSS) with full cyber security integration.
These modular, ready-to-deploy systems will help ensure safe, efficient and reliable operations offshore. ABB’s solutions will fully integrate with third-party equipment, including electrolysers and ammonia synthesis units.
Key step in advancing offshore production capabilities
“This collaboration represents a key step in advancing offshore production capabilities for next-generation marine fuels,” said Saskia Kunst, CEO of SwitcH2.
Saskia Kunst adds, “By integrating ABB’s advanced electrification and automation systems, we are demonstrating how technology-driven partnerships can accelerate innovation, shaping the future of energy at sea.”
Use electrolysis to produce green hydrogen
The FPSO will utilise treated seawater and use electrolysis to produce green hydrogen. This hydrogen will be combined with nitrogen extracted from the air to create green ammonia.
Green ammonia is emerging as a scalable solution for decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors such as shipping
Once synthesised, the ammonia will be condensed and stored onboard. It will then be transferred to carrier ships via a floating hose system for transport to ports where it can be used as a marine fuel or cracked back to hydrogen for industrial use.
Green ammonia is emerging as a scalable solution for decarbonising hard-to-abate sectors such as shipping, which contributes approximately two percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Unlock low-carbon energy value chains
“As with other hard-to-abate industries, we are committed to helping the marine sector operate leaner and cleaner. Our pioneering technologies in automation and electrification will enable this project to run with greater efficiently,” said Per Erik Holsten, President of ABB’s Energy Industries division.
Per Erik Holsten adds, “Green ammonia offers a technically viable method for decarbonising marine transport, and this FPSO concept showcases how renewable energy can be leveraged to unlock low-carbon energy value chains.”
Front-end engineering and design (FEED) work is expected to run until summer 2026, with a Final Investment Decision (FID) due by the third quarter of 2026. Detailed engineering and construction will then follow in 2027.
